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Loveland to host new yak convention

Snowcliff Ranch in Livermore hosts the first Rocky Mountain Yakspo at Saturday at The Ranch in Loveland

By Michelle Vendegna

Reporter-Herald Staff Writer

Posted:
10/03/2017 07:33:00 PM MDT

Yaks stand in a snowy field at Snowcliff Ranch in Livermore on Tuesday. Owner Grant Pound has organized the first Rocky Mountain Yakspo, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 7, at The Ranch in Loveland. (Michelle Vendegna/ Reporter-Herald staff)

The first Rocky Mountain Yakspo will feature all things yak this weekend at The Ranch in Loveland.

"I wanted a show that had more education and more stuff for those that are new to yaks, just getting into yaks or haven't been into yaks for too long," said Grant Pound, organizer and owner of Snowcliff Ranch in Livermore.

Having owned yaks for four years, Pound participates in the yearly show at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. Although a great show, Pound said the space is limited and off to side in the stock yards.

"There will be 60 to 65 head of yak," said Cinde Moore of Rolling Thunder Yak, located east of Eaton. Moore is helping to organize the event. Both Moore and Pound will have stock at the show.

The event will feature seminars throughout the day, yak judging and sales, vendors, and live music, with a surprise from the band Lois and the Lantern.

Grant Pound pets one of his yaks at Snowcliff Ranch in Livermore on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Pound has organized the first Rocky Mountain Yakspo, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 7, at The Ranch in Loveland. (Michelle Vendegna/ Reporter-Herald staff)

"They are working up a new secret yak song," Pound said of the Fort Collins band.

Seminars will start at 10 a.m. with topics on cheese making, health, a presentation from Temple Grandin at 1 p.m. on humane animal handling, and even genetic testing.

"All yaks in North America have some cattle in them to some degree so this test can tell to what degree," Pound said.

Pound also hopes to pass on a little of what he's learned over the past four years.

"I thought I could get away with really minimal equipment," he said when he started.

He had done his research but found he was pretty naive when it came it what it would actually take. What started as a few portable corral panels has resulted in a squeeze chute, trailer and entire corral system for the safety of the animals and those working with them.

"I feel a big responsibility to these animals to keep them healthy," Pound said.

That's one of the reasons the seminars will include a portion on what one needs on hand for medical treatments, both emergency and routine.

Vendors at the event will have yak fiber, cheese, meat, hides and skulls.

Living near Red Feather Lakes on somewhat rough terrain, Pound uses the animals to graze the land. It's safer than burning the fields and makes it so he doesn't have to mow. He also breeds the animals to help others grow their herds.

Moore, on the other hand, focuses on meat and fiber.

"The yaks are a very versatile animal," Pound said.

The meat is lean and low in fat. Pound compared the taste to somewhere between bison and elk.

"The milk is very high in butter fat and low in lactose," he said, a plus for those who are lactose intolerant. He compared it the taste of goats milk.

Moore blends the yak fiber with that of her angora goats.

"They say that yak fiber is the next cashmere, that's how soft it is. It offers a really soft texture with a lot of warmth to it," she said.

"They are such cool animals," she added.

As for temperament, it depends on how much time is spent to tame and train the animal.

"They are a bold animal," Moore said.

At the expo, some will be extremely tame, people will be able to interact with them. Others animals will be less so.

"For me, mine, I call them tame. I visit them every day and I can walk them," Pound said, but he is always aware that these are large animals with big horns.

"I like them to be friendly, to come up for treats, but I like them to respect my space," he said.

One of Grant Pound's yaks looks for treats at Snowcliff Ranch in Livermore on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Pound has organized the first Rocky Mountain Yakspo, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at The Ranch in Loveland. (Michelle Vendegna/ Reporter-Herald staff)